Active Air Intake Grille and Vehicle

The present document is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 National Phase conversion of International (PCT) Patent Application No. PCT/CN2023/084210, filed on Mar. 27, 2023, which claims priority to a Chinese patent application number 202210314758.7, filed on Mar. 28, 2022, submitted by Wuhan Lotus Automotive Co., Ltd. and entitled “An Active Air Intake Grille and Vehicle”. The full disclosure of the above-identified application is incorporated by reference into the second embodiment of this document, and the order of some of the drawings has been amended.

The present document relates to automobile engines, and in particular to an active air intake grille and a vehicle.

Active grille technology is an emerging fuel-saving and emission-reduction technology in the automotive field. It can adjust the air flow from the outside into the engine compartment according to the cooling requirements of the engine, reducing the resistance of redundant air in the internal flow field, and improving the economy of the vehicle. Furthermore, the grille also has the function of improving the appearance of the vehicle and protecting debris from entering the engine compartment.

Currently, the active air intake grilles in the market are classified as hidden type and exposed type. The current exposed grille is mainly the straight waterfall type, which is opened by turning each straight waterfall blade B inwardly around the rotation axis A to open the air intake, or is turned from inward to outward to close the air intake, please refer to.

The present document provides an active air intake grille and a vehicle.

The active air intake grille of the present document includes a fixed bracket, a link bracket, a driving device, a first link mechanism and at least one air intake unit;

The air intake unit includes a plurality of blades and a plurality of blade link mechanisms;

The link bracket is rotatably connected to a first end of each of the plurality of blade link mechanisms, and a second end of each of the plurality of blade link mechanisms is rotatably connected to the first end of each of the plurality of blades respectively; the second end of each of the plurality of blades is rotatably connected to the fixed bracket;

A first end of the first link mechanism is connected to the link bracket and a second end of the first link mechanism is connected to the driving device;

The driving device drives the first link mechanism to move, the first link mechanism drives the link bracket to move, the link bracket drives the blade link mechanism to move, and the blade link mechanism drives the first ends of the blades to rotate to open or close the air intake unit.

In one embodiment, the fixed bracket is provided with a plurality of air intake unit mounting ports, and the air intake unit mounting ports correspond to the at least one air intake unit, respectively;

The shape of the air intake unit mounting port includes at least one of a circular shape and a polygonal shape, and the plurality of blades are arranged along a circumferential edge of the air intake unit mounting port.

In one embodiment, the fixed bracket is provided with a redundant blade mounting port, and the redundant blade mounting port is located between adjacent air intake unit mounting ports, and a blade is provided in the redundant blade mounting port.

In one embodiment, it includes a fixed bracket, a link bracket, a driving device, a first link mechanism and at least one air intake unit;

The fixed bracket is provided with a plurality of air intake unit mounting ports, and the air intake unit mounting ports correspond to the at least one air intake unit, respectively; the air intake unit includes a plurality of blades and a plurality of blade link mechanisms, the blade is provided with a first end and a second end, the second end of the blade is rotatably connected to an edge of the air intake unit mounting port to realize a rotatable connection between the blade and the fixed bracket, the first end of each blade is away from the edge of the air intake unit mounting port relative to its second end, and is rotatably connected to the blade link mechanism respectively; one end of each blade link mechanism is rotatably connected to each blade, and the other end of each blade link mechanism is rotatably connected to the link bracket; the first link mechanism is respectively connected to the link bracket and the driving device at different positions thereof, the first link mechanism is configured to be driven by the driving device and drive the link bracket to move, so that the blade link mechanism is driven by the link bracket, and the blade link mechanism drives the blade to rotate, and the blade flips relative to the fixed bracket to open or close the air intake unit.

In one embodiment, the air intake unit is configured as, when the air intake unit is in an open state, a plurality of air intake channels are formed on the active air intake grille between the blades of the same air intake unit; the air intake channels are configured as air is capable of passing through them and into the active air intake grille; when the air intake unit is in a closed state, the air intake channels disappear;

The blades in the same air intake unit are configured as, the link bracket moves in a direction away from the air intake unit mounting port, and the air intake channels are formed between the blades; after the formation of the air intake channels, the link bracket is reset in a direction close to the air intake unit mounting port, and the air intake channels disappear.

In one embodiment, the blade link mechanism is rotatably connected to the blade and is clamped with the blade, and the blade link mechanism is rotatably connected to the link bracket and is clamped with the link bracket.

In one embodiment, the blade link mechanism includes a main body and a first matching portion, the main body is provided with a first base area, the first base area the first matching portion are connected and the first matching portion is arranged on the first base area, the first matching portion includes a first shaft portion and a clamping group which are arranged from a position close to toward a position far from the main body, the clamping group includes a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion, the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are arranged at intervals, the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are both connected to the first shaft portion, and the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are elastically deformable; the blade is provided with a second matching portion, the clamping group is clasped with the second matching portion, and the first shaft portion is rotatably connected to the second matching portion; the second matching portion is located between the clamping group and the main body, and the clamping group and the first base area are configured to cooperate with each other to restrict at least a part of the second matching portion therebetween, thereby limiting the separation of the blade link mechanism from the blade.

In one embodiment, a third matching portion is further included, and the main body is provided with a second base area, the second base area and the third matching portion are connected and the third matching portion is provided on the second base area, the third matching portion includes a second shaft portion and a third clamping portion arranged at intervals, the link bracket is provided with a fourth matching portion, the second shaft portion is rotatably connected to the fourth matching portion, and the third clamping portion is clamped with the fourth matching portion.

In one embodiment, the blade link mechanism further includes an elastic portion, the elastic portion is connected to the main body and abuts against the link bracket to play a buffering role when the blade link mechanism and the link bracket move relative to each other; the elastic portion is provided with at least one penetration area, and the penetration area is used to facilitate the deformation of a peripheral portion of the elastic portion that surrounds the penetration area.

In one embodiment, the number of the penetration areas is more than two, and different penetration areas are used to facilitate deformation of different positions of the elastic portion. The different positions of the elastic portion are used to play a buffering role at different moments of movement of the blade link mechanism and the link bracket.

In one embodiment, it further includes a second link mechanism. The first link mechanism is located at a lower side of the link bracket and is connected to the link bracket, and the second link mechanism is connected to an upper end of the fixed bracket, a lower end of the fixed bracket, an upper end of the link bracket and a lower end of the link bracket; the first link mechanism is configured to be driven by the driving device and drive the link bracket to move forward or backward of the vehicle, so that the blade flips relative to the fixed bracket toward outside or inside of the vehicle to open or close the air intake unit.

In one embodiment, the second link mechanism includes a first separate body and a second separate body rotatably connected with each other, one of the first separate body and the second separate body is rotatably connected to the fixed bracket, and the other of the first separate body and the second separate body is rotatably connected to the link bracket.

In one embodiment, one of the first separate body and the second separate body is provided with a shaft portion, and the other of the first separate body and the second separate body is provided with a rotating connection portion, and the rotating connection portion is rotatably connected to the shaft portion.

In one embodiment, the rotating connection portion is a sleeve portion with a side opening integrally formed on one of the first separate body and the second separate body, and the shaft portion is a cylinder integrally formed on the other of the first separate body and the second separate body.

In one embodiment, the first separate body and the second separate body are both U-shaped, and the U-shaped first separate body is rotatably connected to one of the link bracket and the fixed bracket at one end of its opening, and is rotatably connected to the other of the link bracket and the fixed bracket at the other end of its opening.

In one embodiment, an operation logic of the driving device includes detecting a resistance it is subjected to; the second separate body is provided with a force distribution part protruding outward from the second separate body relative to its peripheral portion, and the force distribution part is arranged on a rotation trajectory of the first separate body, and the force distribution part hinders the rotation of the first separate body and is used to generate an interaction force with the first separate body; the force applied by the first separate body to the force distribution part is used to be transmitted to the driving device as part of the resistance.

The present document further provides a vehicle, which includes an active air intake grille as described in any of the above items.

The active air intake grille provided in the present document has the advantages of a large effective air intake area and can improve the heat dissipation efficiency.

A-rotation axis, B-straight waterfall blade, C-clamping portion, D-clamping hole, E-solid part, F-telescopic rod, G-motor assembly, α-intake channel;

-fixed bracket,-outer frame,-inner frame,-link bracket,-matching opening,-fourth matching portion,-driving device,-first link mechanism,-driving shaft,-main rod body,-support arm;

-second link mechanism,-first separate body,-second separate body,-shaft portion,-rotating connection portion,-force distribution part;

-blade,-second matching portion;-blade link mechanism,-main body,-first base area,-second base area,-first matching portion,-first shaft portion,-clamping group,-first clamping portion,-second clamping portion,-third matching portion,-second shaft portion,-third clamping portion,-elastic portion,-penetration area;

-flip axis,-connection point,-air intake unit,-first air intake portion,-second air intake portion,-redundant blade mounting port,-support bracket.

Specific implementations of the present document are described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. The following embodiments are used to illustrate but not intend to limit the scope of the present document.

The terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth” and the like in the description and claims of the present document are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or sequence.

In the description of the present document, unless clearly stipulated and limited, the terms “set”, “install”, “couple”, “connect”, etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms can be understood according to specific circumstances.

The terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside” and “outside” in the present document indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or indicate directions or positional relationships in which the products of the present document are usually placed when in use. They are only for the convenience and simplicity of description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation of the present document.

The terms “includes”, “including,” or any other variations thereof in the present document are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, and may include other elements not expressly listed in addition to the elements listed.

In the description of the present document, reference terms such as “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “illustratively”, “specific embodiment”, “further”, “more detailed description”, “preferably”, “further provided with”, “also including”, “optionally” or “some examples” mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in combination with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present document. In the present document, the exemplary expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art may combine and associate different embodiments or examples and features of different embodiments or examples described in this document without contradiction.

Technical solutions in the embodiments of the present document will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present document. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part rather than all of the embodiments of the present document. Based on the embodiments of the present document, all other embodiments obtained by person of ordinary skill in the art without making any creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present document.

It should be noted that in the description of the present document, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the term “end” etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present document and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the component must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation of the present document.

As shown in, the present document provides a vehicle, which is provided with an active air intake grille. The active air intake grille includes a fixed bracket, a link bracket, a driving device, a first link mechanismand at least one air intake unit. The fixed bracketis provided with at least one air intake unit mounting port, and the at least one air intake unit mounting port corresponds to the at least one air intake unitin one-to-one manner. In this embodiment, the air intake unitincludes a plurality of bladesand a plurality of blade link mechanisms(shown in). The bladehas a first end and a second end. The second ends of the bladesare rotatably connected to edges of the air intake unit mounting port. The first ends of the bladesare away from the edges of the air intake unit mounting port relative to the second ends of the blades, and are rotatably connected to the blade link mechanismsin a one-to-one manner. In addition to each blade link mechanismhaving one end being rotatably connected to the corresponding blade, each blade link mechanismalso has one end being rotatably connected to the link bracket.

The first link mechanismin this embodiment is connected to the link bracketand the driving deviceat different positions thereof. The first link mechanismis configured to be driven by the driving deviceand to drive the link bracketto move, so that the blade link mechanismis driven by the link bracket, and the blade link mechanismfurther drives the bladeto rotate, making the bladerotated relative to the fixed bracketto open or close the air intake unit. It should be noted that the “open” or “opened” state of the air intake unitmentioned above and in the whole document refer to the bladebeing rotated inwardly at any angle. That is to say, all the descriptions related to “open” or “opened” state of the air intake unitmentioned above and in the whole document do not specifically refer to the air intake unitbeing opened to the maximum angle.

To summarize, since the second end of bladeis rotatably connected to the edge of the air intake unit mounting port, the first end of bladeis away from the edge of the air intake unit mounting port relative to the second end of blade, and the first end of bladeis rotatably connected to the blade link mechanism, the blademay rotate relative to the fixed bracketunder the drive of the blade link mechanismto open or close the air intake unit. Therefore, in the process of opening the air intake unitin this embodiment to a certain extent from a closed state, the air will inevitably enter the active air intake grille through gaps formed between the blades. Meanwhile, since the first end of bladeis away from the edge of the air intake unit mounting port relative to the second end of blade, when the air enters the active air intake grille in this embodiment, there will not be a considerable deviation in the direction of travel, as compared to the traditional active air intake grille that uses straight waterfall blades B.

More concretely, as shown in, due to regulations requires the exposed grille cannot open outwardly, that is, cannot flip toward the outside of the vehicle, the straight waterfall blade B can only flip in one direction, that is, toward the inside of the vehicle, to open the air inlet. In other words, the straight waterfall blade B can only be opened toward one direction. Based on the design that the straight waterfall blade B can only be opened toward one direction, it is obvious that at most of the opening angles of the straight waterfall blade B, during the opening process of the straight waterfall blade B, a considerable portion of the air that enters the vehicle from outside through the air inlet has a travel direction that deviates from the driving direction of the vehicle, which will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the effective air intake area of the grille, thereby affecting the heat dissipation efficiency. Correspondingly, as described above, the air intake grille in the present document will not produce such problems. Based on this, the active air intake grille provided in this embodiment has a large effective air intake arca and can improve the heat dissipation efficiency.

The following is a more detailed exemplary arrangement of the aforementioned active air intake grille.

As shown in, six hexagonal air intake unit mounting ports are arranged in sequence on the fixed bracket, and six hexagonal air intake unitsare mounted to the six air intake unit mounting ports one by one. Each of the air intake unitsincludes six triangular blades. For the convenience of illustration, the three air intake unitslocated on the right side of the vehicle are set in the closed state, and the three air intake unitslocated on the left side of the vehicle are set to be flipped at a certain angle toward the rear of the vehicle relative to the fixed bracket, that is, these three air intake unitsare in the open state.

Illustratively, the fixed bracketincludes an outer frameand an inner framethat are arranged in sequence from the front to the rear of the vehicle. The outer frameis located on the front side of the link bracket, and six hexagonal through-holes are respectively provided on the outer frameand the inner frameto form the air intake unit mounting ports. A radial support bracketis provided across each through-hole of the outer frameto ensure the overall strength of the air intake unit mounting port.